Process and apparatus for the filling, sealing and permanent marking of ampoules andthe like



Dec. 12, 1961 w. PECHMANN EI'AL 3,012,386

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE FILLING, SEALING AND PERMANENT MARKING OF AMPOULES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 19, 1959 26 27 26 INVENTOQ W41 TE)? 0. m'z'Nz BY WILHEM PELHMAI/N United States Patent O land Filed Nov. 19, 1959, Ser. No. 854,079 1 Claims priority, application Germany Nov. 22, 1958 14 Claims. (CI. 5339) The present invention relates to a process for the filling and sealing of ampoules, and more particularly to a process for filling and thereupon sealing an ampoule, preferably by simultaneous application of one or more permanent, readily observable identifying markers or symhols which may be applied close to the sealed end of the ampoule. The invention also relates to a novel apparatus for the practice of my process.

In the fillingand sealing of ampoules and like liquidcontaining receptacles, it is extremely important to avoid any confusion of ampoules which contain different types of drugs or other medicines. Attempts were made to solve this problem in a number of ways, for example, by applying a layer of coloring matter to the exterior of a filled or unfilled ampoule. However, such external application of identifying means is unsatisfactory because the coloring matter may be wiped or scratched off during subsequent processing and/or transportation of filled and sealed ampoules. In addition, the apparatus presently utilized for the application of identifying symbols to ampoules occupy too much space; they are also expensive and cannot insure permanent application of identifying marks.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a filled and sealed ampoule which is permanently marked in such a way that it cannot be inadvertently confused with an ampoule containing a different substance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a process for the application of non-removable identifying marks to ampoules according to which the formation and permanent incorporation of marks or symbols into the material of the ampoules occurs in a continuous operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a process of the above outlined characteristics according to which the ampoules may be permanently identified by application of single or composite markings of any desired size, color, group of colors, or configuration.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a process for the filling, sealing and permanent marking of ampoules in such a way that the material of identifying marks never comes into contact with the contents of an ampoule and cannot be removed except by complete destruction of the product.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a process for the filling, sealing and permanent marking of ampoules which can be practiced with ampoules of any desired size or configuration, which can be carried out in a continuous and rapid operation, and which can be practiced with the help of very simple instrumentalities.

A further object of the invention is to provide a very simple and versatile apparatus for the practice of the above outlined process which is capable of simultaneously processing two or more ampoules.

With the above objects in view, the invention resides in the provision of a process which comprises the basic steps of applying one, two or more layers of suitable coloring matter to form a symbol or marker on the exterior of an ampoule before, while or after the latter is filled with a liquid substance and preferably close to 3,012,386 Patented Dec. 12, 1 961 the point where the filled ampoule is to be sealed, and thereupon subjecting the coloring matter to the action of heat sufiicient to melt the coloring matter and to fuse the same with the material of the ampoule. It is preferred to utilize a single flame which not only incorporates the coloring matter of the symbol or symbols into the material of the ampoule but simultaneously brings about a sealing action close to the open end through which the ampoule is filled. The coloring matter contains at least one finely comminuted component, e.g. powdered glass or plastic, which is fusible with the material of the ampoules at a given temperature. The sealing of ampoules is brought about by locally melting the same directly at or close to the point where an identifying symbol or marker is applied.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is schematic side elevational view of an apparatus for the practice of my method showing a pair of ampoules at each of the processing stations;

FIG. 2 is enlarged side elevational view of an unsealed ampoule and of the marking means for externally applying 'an identifying symbol at a point close to the open end of the ampoule;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates the step of sealing the ampoule and of simultaneously embedding or incorporating the coloring matter of the identifying mark into the material of the ampoule;

FIG. 5 shows a sealed ampoule with an identifying mark different from the symbol shown in FIGS. 2 and 4; and

FIG. 6 is top plan view of an ampoule and of modified marking means for applying thereto identifying symbols of the type shown in PEG. 5.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated embodiments, and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a horizontal band conveyor 10 for intermittently advancing a series of empty and unmarked ampoules A in the direction of the arrow 10a. The ampoules selected for illustration in the drawing are of the well-known type, best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Each ampoule comprises a substantially cylindrical bottom zone or main body portion 40, a substantially spherical or beaded zone 41, and an upwardly tapering tubular zone 14 whose upper end is open when the ampoule is placed onto the conveyor 10. The tubular zone 14 is often referred to as the spear of the ampoule. However, it will be readily understood that the process can be carried out with any other type of plastic or glass ampoules.

The conveyor 10 advances empty receptacles A in the direction of the arrow 10a and arrests the same at the first or filling station 11 where the ampoules receive and are filled with a liquid substance discharged through the vertically reciprocable needles 12. FIG. 1 shows the filling means 12 in retracted position, i.e. lifted above and away from the open ends of the spears 14.

In the next step, the filled but unsealed ampoules A are advanced to the second or marking station 13 at which each spear 14 receives a coat of coloring matter, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 as an annular layer or band 15. As may be observed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the application of coloring matter is carried out with the help of a marking roller 17 which is rotatable with or about the axis of a vertical shaft 16 and receives coloring matter from an adjacent supply cylinder 18. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, the ampoules are rotatable about their vertical axes in or with their carriers 19 which are mounted on the exposed surface of the intermittently advancing conveyor 10. Thus, each ampoule performs a 7 full revolution at the marking station 13 whereby the rollers 17 apply the aforementioned annular bands or symbols 15 of suitable coloring matter to their openended zones or spears 14. As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the bands 15 are applied below the open upper ends of the ampoules so that a portion 21 of each spear 14 extends above the symbol.

When the application of colored matter 15 is completed, the filled and already marked "but still unsealed ampoules A advance toward the third or sealing station 20. When the conveyor is brought to a renewed halt, the upper spear portion 21 of each ampoule is engaged by the jaws of pliers or tongs 22 and a burner 23 directs a flame 24 toward the spear portions 21 between the pliers 22 and preferably directly or closely above the symbol 15. As soon as the heat of the flame 24 transforms the material of the spear portion 21 into a plastic or molten state, the pliers 22 are withdrawn in upward direction without releasing the open end of the spear to in such manner seal the spears directly above the symbols (FIG. 4) and to,

thereupon remove the uppermost parts' of the spear portions 21 above the sealing points.

The heat generated by the flame 24 is suflicient to permanently and indelibly impregnate or burn the coloring matter of the band or symbol 15 into the locally plasticized material of the spear portion 21, i.e. a fusion takes place between the materials of the colored symbol and the ampoule.

The properly sealed ampoules A are thereupon advanced to the fourth station 25 from which they may be removed ascompletely finished products A; for packing and shipment or storage. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 1 shows an apparatus in which the ampoules A, A A A and A are arranged in pairs, but it will be appreciated that the conveyor 10 may advance individual or more than two ampoules toward and away from the stations 11, 13 and 20. It is equally possible to install the marking station 13 in advance of the filling station 11. However, it is important that the symbols be ap plied before the ampoules reach the sealing station 20. The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is preferred because the likelihood of confusing the filled ampoules is practically non-existent. Thus, if the ampoules are identifiedby suitable symbols immediately after filling, i.e. while advancing on the conveyor, a mislabelling and confusion is not possible. 1 Such mislabelling could'occur if, as heretofore, the markings were applied to empty ampoules, i.e. before the latter are placed onto the conveyor to advance toward the filling station. The ar rangement of various stations as shown in the apparatus of FIG. 1, together with permanent incorporation of symbols into the material of each ampoule, positively excludes inadvertent confusion of ampoules with different contents.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fully sealed and permanently marked ampoule A; which is provided with a different identifying symbol 15a. Such symbols could be applied to a rotary ampoule by the roller 17 if the latters periphery is formed with raised type. In such instances, only the type on a roller 17 comes into contact with the supply cylinder 18 and transmits the coloring matter to an ampoule A while the latter is rotated about its vertical 8X15.

When it is desired to identify the ampoules with symbols or markers of the type shown in FIG. 5, a different arrangement is preferably used. As is-shown in FIG.

6, the marking means assumes the shape of an elongated brand or stamp 27 which is reciprocable along its horizontal'axis-in the direction of the double arrow 26 and is 4 tion 21 of the ampoule. It can be readily observed in FIG. 6 that therend face 28 is of concave contour; its curvature corresponds to the curvature of spear portion 21. It is equally possible to use marking means in the form of stencils formed with cutouts through which a suitable coloring matter is applied to the spears 14. Furthermore, the marking means 17 may be used together with thernarking means 27, i.e. the coloring matter may be applied in two or more layers. For ex ample, the band 15 may be in one color to form the base or ground of the composite symbol, and thesymbol 15a is applied thereover in a different color either by the stamp 27'or by the non-represented stencil means. In such instances, the subsequent layers of coloring matter are applied at separate marking stations provided in advance of the sealing station 20 and preferably between the filling and sealing stations.

As stated hereinbefore, it is preferred to apply the symbols 15, 15a at a point directly below the point where the flame 24 seals the spear portion 21. Instead of utilizing annular bands 15 or numerals and/or letters (symbol 15a), the identifying marks on the ampoules may assume the shape of circular dots, polygons or any other form. I

if the ampoule is made of glass, the coloring substance preferably consists of a mixture of powdered glass and a suitable paint or dye, but the coloring substance may also comprise an oil in addition to such mixture. Powdered glass then constitutes that component of the mixture which is fusible with the material of the ampoule. The mixture is permanently incorporated into the material of the spear and cannot be removed except by breaking away the spear from the main body portion 40 of the ampoule. As'the glass begins to melt or soften at a given temperature produced by the flame 24 of the heat generating means 23, powdered glass which constitutes a carrier for the actual coloring matter (paint or dye) will also melt and will fuse with the material of the ampoule. Of course, the spear portions 21 could be sealed directly at the point where a symbol 15 or 15a is applied, but the heat radiation of flames 24 is normally sufiicient to cause permanent incorporation of symbol-forming colored matter into and a fusion thereof with the material of the ampoule even if the flame is applied at a distance from the symbol. This holds true particularly if the symbols 15 and 15a consist of the aforementioned mixture of glass powder with a coloring dye and eventually oil. The powdered glass is caused to melt during the sealing step and is non-separably incorporated into the material of the spears 14. The molecules of the coloring dye which adhere to the glass particles are also embedded in the material of the ampoule and remain readily visible when the sealing operation is completed. The addition of oil to the coloring matter is particularly desirable when the symbols 15, 15a consist of several layers, i.e. if the coloring matter is applied to the spear portions 21 in two, three or more steps by formingthe layers one over theo ther. In such instances, the first or innermost layer of coloring matter is less exposed to the action of heat generated by the flame 24. Without the addition of oil, it could occur that the flame could not melt the powdered glass ingredient of the innermost layer so that no fusion or permanent incorporation into the material of a spear could take place. However, the heat generated by the burner 23 is always suflicient to ignite the oil, even in the innermost layer of the symbol 15 or 15a, whereby the additional heat generated by combustion of oil insures satisfactory melting of all powdered glass layers and permanent fusion with the material of the ampoule.

Of course, it is equally possible to utilize two or more flames for each ampoule at the sealing station 20. Thus, one flame may cause actual sealing and severing of the spear while one or more additional flames insure satisfactory incorporation of coloring matter into the material of the spear.

A very important feature of the novel process resides in that permanent application of an identifying mark may be brought about without requiring an additional operational step, i.e. the incorporation occurs simultaneously with the sealing of a filled ampoule. Thus, and as fully described hereinabove in connection with the drawings, it is preferred to apply the symbols immediately below or sufficiently close to the sealing point I so that a single exposure of the spear to heat will cause sealing and simultaneous permanent incorporation of the identifying symbol or symbols.

The consistency of the coloring matter depends upon the material of which the ampoule is made. Thus, powdered glass with finely comminuted dyes and eventually oil is preferred if the ampoule is made of glass. However, if the ampoule consists of a synthetic plastic substance, powdered glass is replaced by a suitable plastic material in finely comminuted form or by any other carrier for the dye which is fusible by heat with the plastic ampoule. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A process for the simultaneous sealing and permanent marking of ampoules which comprises applying to the exterior and in the proximity of the open end of an ampoule a symbol consisting of a coloring material at least one component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoule, and thereupon sealing the ampoule by application of heat sufiicient to locally melt the material of the ampoule and to simultaneously melt said one component whereby the coloring material is fused with and the symbol is permanently incorporated in the material of the ampoule.

2. In the manufacture of ampoules, the process which comprises the steps of filling an open ampoule, applying to the exterior and close to the open end of the filled ampoule a colored symbol consisting of a material at least one component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoule, and thereupon sealing the ampoule at a point close to the symbol by subjecting the ampoule to the action of heat sufficient to locally melt the ampoule and to simultaneously melt said one component whereby the symbol is burned into and is permanently incorporated in the material of the ampoule.

3. In the manufacture of ampoules, the process which comprises the steps of filling an open ampoule and simultaneously applying to the exterior and close to the open end of the ampoule a colored symbol consisting of a material at least one component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoule, and thereupon sealing the ampoule at a point close to the symbol by subjecting the ampoule to the action of heat sufiicient to locally melt the ampoule and to simultaneously melt the fusible component whereby the symbol is burned into and is permanently incorporated in the material of the ampoule.

4. In the manufacture of ampoules, the process which comprises the steps of applying to the exterior of an open-ended empty ampoule and close to the latters open end a colored symbol consisting of a material at least one component of which is fusible with the material of the ampoule, filling the ampoule with a liquid substance, and thereupon sealing the ampoule at a point close to the symbol by subjecting the ampoule to the action of heat sufiicient to locally melt the ampoule and to simultaneously melt the fusible component whereby the symbol is indelibly incorporated in the material of the ampoule.

5. A process for sealing and permanently marking ampoules and the like which comprises applying to the exterior of an open ampoule a colored identifying symbol consisting of at least one layer of a material at least one component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoule, and thereupon subjecting the ampoule and the symbol to the action of heat of such intensity as to locally melt the ampoule to seal the same and to simultaneously melt the fusible component in each layer of the symbol whereby the latter is permanently incorporated in the material of the ampoule.

6. A process for permanently marking open-ended ampoules and the like which comprises the steps of consecutively applying to the exterior and close to the open end of an ampoule a series of colored layers to form an identifying symbol on the ampoule, each layer consisting of a material at least one component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoule, and thereupon subjecting the ampoule and the symbol to the action of heat of such intensity as to melt the fusible component in each layer and at the same time to locally melt the ampoule whereby the ampoule is sealed and the symbol is permanently incorporated in the material of the ampoule.

7. An apparatus forfilling, sealing and permanently marking ampoules which comprises, in combination: conveyor means for intermittently advancing the ampoules in a predetermined path; filling means located in the path of the ampoules for introducing a fluid into the successive ampules; at least one marking means in the path of the ampoules and located past said filling means for consecutively applying to each filled ampoule an identifying symbol of a material including a finely comminuted component which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoules; and sealing means located in the path of the ampoules past said marking means and comprising at least one source of heat for locally melting the successive ampoules so as to seal each of the successive ampoules and to simultaneously melt the fusible component of each of the successive ampoules whereby the symbols are permanently incorporated into the material of the successive ampoules simultaneously with the sealing of the respective ampoules.

' 8. An apparatus for sealing and permanently marking open-ended ampoules which comprises, in combination: a conveyor for intermittently advancing the ampoules in upright position with the open end located at the top of each ampoule; at least one marking means located in the path of the ampoules and comprisng a marking roller rotatable about a vertical axis and adapted to move into contact with the successive ampoules to apply an identifying symbol at a point close to each open end of the ampoule, and means for supplying the roller with coloring matte at least one finely divided component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoules; and sealing means located in the path of the ampoules past said marking means and comprising at least one flame-generating burner for locally melting and sealing each of the successive ampoules at points close to and above the respective symbols, and for simultaneously melting the fusible component of each of the successive ampoules whereby the symbols are permanently incorporated into the material of the successive ampoules simultaneously with the sealing of the respective ampoules.

9. An apparatus for permanently marking ampoules of the type comprising an open-ended spear of substantially circular cross-sectional contour, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a conveyo for intermittently advancing the ampoules in upright position with the having a concave end face adapted to move into contact 7 with the spears of the successive ampoules and to apply an identifying symbol at a point close to the open end thereof, and means for supplying the stamp with coloring matter at least one finely distributed component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the spears; and means located in the path of the ampoules past said marking means and comprising at least one source of heat for locally melting the spears of the successive anipoules and for simultaneously melting said fusible components whereby the symbols are permanently incorporated in the material of the spears.

10. An apparatus fo permanently marking ampoules of the type comprising an open-ended spear of substantially circular cross-sectional contour, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a conveyor for intermittently advancing the ampoules in upright position with the spear located at the top of each ampoule; at least one marking means located in the path of the ampoules and comprising a substantially horizontally reciprocable stamp having a concave end face formed with raised type dapted to move into contact with the spears of the successive ampoules and to apply an identifying symbol at a point close to the open end thereof, and means for supplying the stamp with coloring matter at least one finely distributed component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the spears; and means located in the path of the ampoules past said marking means and comprising at least one source of heat for locally melting the spears of the successive ampoules and for simultaneously melting said fusiblecomponents whereby the symbols are permanently incorporatedin the material of the spears i 11. An apparatus for-sealing and permanently marking ampoules of the type comprising an open-ended spear of substantially circular cross-sectional contour, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a conveyor for intermittently advancing theampoules in upright position with the spear located at the top of each ampoule; at least one marking means located in the path of the ampoules and comprising a substantially horizontally reciprocable stamp having a concave end face adapted to move into contact with the spears of the successive ampoules and to apply an identifying symbol at a point close to the open end thereof, and means for supplying the stamp with coloring matter at least one finely distributed component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the spears; and sealing means located in the path of the ampoules past said marking means and comprising at least one flame-generating burner for locally melting and sealing the spears of the successive ampoules at points close to and above the respective symbols, and for simultaneously melting said fusible components whereby the symbols are permanently incorporated in the material of the spears, and means for holding and removing the spear portions above the sealing points.

12. An apparatus for permanently marking open-ended ampoules which comprises, in combination: a conveyor for intermittently advancing the ampoules in upright position with the open end located at the top of each ampoule; at least one marking means located in the path of the ampoules and comprising a stencil adapted to move into contact with the successive ampoules and to apply an identifying symbol at a point close to the open end of each ampoule, and means for supplying the stencil with coloring matter at least one finely distributed component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoules; and means located in the path of the ampoules past said marking means and comprising at least one source of heat for locally melting the successive ampoules and for simultaneously melting said fusible components whereby the symbols are permanently incorporated into the material of the ampoules.

13. Apparatus for permanently marking open-ended ampoules which comprises, in combination: a conveyor for intermittently advancing the ampoules in upright position with the open end located at the top of each ampoule; at least two marking means located in the path of the ampoules, one of said marking means comprising a marking roller rotatable about a vertical axis and adapted to move into contact with the successive ampoules for applying an identifying symbol to the latter, and another of said marking means comprising a stamp reciprocable toward and away from the successive ampoules for applying a second symbol to the latter, each marking means further comprising means for supplying a coloring matter to said roller and said stamp, the coloring matter comprising at least one finely distributed component which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoules; and means located in the path of the ampoules past said marking means and comprising at least one source of heat for locally melting the successive ampoules I and for simultaneously melting said fusible components whereby the symbols are permanently'incorporated in the material of the ampoules.

14. An apparatus for permanently marking openended ampoules which comprises, in combination: a conveyor for intermittently advancing the ampoules in upright position with the open end located at the top of each ampoule; at least one marking means located in the path of the ampoules and comprising a marking roller rotatable about a vertical axis and adapted to move into contact with the successive ampoules to apply an identifying symbol at a point close to the open end of the ampoule, means for rotating the ampoules about a vertical axis during contact with the roller, and means for supplying the roller with coloring matter at least one finely divided component of which is fusible by heat with the material of the ampoules; and means located in the path of the ampoules past said marking means and comprising at least one source of heat for locally melting the successive ampoules and for simultaneously melting said fusible components whereby the symbols are permanently incorporated into the material of the ampoules.

References Cited in the file of this patent 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS Sickel .L. June 17, 1958 

